Poll Explores Sexual Health Among Older Adults

Just over three-quarters of older adults in the United States think that sex is important for romantic relationships, no matter what age a couple is, according to a recent poll.

Conducted online in October 2017, the National Poll on Healthy Aging involved 1,002 adults aged 65 to 80. The sample was weighted to correspond to U.S. Census Bureau population figures.

Most of the respondents (72%) were in romantic relationships, although more men (73%) were married or partnered than women (60%).

The poll covered several areas of sexual health:

Importance of sex. Seventy percent of men and 40% of women agreed or strongly agreed that sex was important to their overall quality of life. Partnered respondents and sexually active people were more likely to agree.

Sexual activity. Overall, 40% of respondents were sexually active. Fifty-four percent of partnered respondents were having sex. However, sexual activity declined as people got older.

Sexual interest. Sixty-five percent of respondents said they were interested in sex. Half of the men were “extremely or very interested” in sex, but only 12% of the women were. Interest tended to be higher among younger respondents.

Sexual satisfaction. Almost three-quarters of respondents felt satisfied with their sex lives. More women (43%) than men (31%) reported being extremely or very satisfied. This level of satisfaction was also more common among people with romantic partners and those in better health.

Medications and supplements. Eighteen percent of men and 3% of women had taken medications or supplements for sexual issues during the previous two years.

Conversations with healthcare providers. About 17% of respondents had discussed their sexual health with a doctor in the past two years. Roughly 60% of those who did brought up the subject on their own. For 40%, the healthcare provider introduced the subject. Most who talked to a doctor said they felt comfortable doing so.

Conversations about sexual problems. Sixty-two percent said that if they had a sexual problem, they would talk to a doctor. Just over a third said they’d discuss it with their partner, and 10% would talk to a relative, friend or other person. But 17% said they wouldn’t talk to anyone about it.

“Sexual health among older adults doesn’t get much attention but is linked closely to quality of life, health and well-being,” said Erica Solway, Ph.D., co-associate director of the poll, in a press statement. “It’s important for older adults and the clinicians who care for them to talk about these issues and about how age-related changes in physical health, relationships, lifestyles and responsibilities such as caregiving, affect them.”

The poll was sponsored by the AARP and Michigan Medicine (the University of Michigan).